news-record.com

SPORTS

Stewart wrecks in practice, will start in rear today

Sunday, August 2, 2009
(Updated 7:21 am)

LONG POND, Pa. -- Tony Stewart lost his pole position and will start from the back of the pack after wrecking his car during practice for today's Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway.

Stewart lost control of his car on a turn on the second lap of Saturday's first practice and spun into the wall. He was unhurt in the crash.

His Stewart-Haas Racing crew quickly got to work on the backup. Stewart leads the points standings and was the pole-sitter at Pocono because rain washed out Friday's qualifying.

The same thing happened to Stewart in June's race at Pocono when he took the pole after a rainout and wrecked in practice. Then he went out and won in his backup from the rear of the field.

EXPECTING IT TO END: Speedway Motorsports Inc. owner Bruton Smith expects Lowe's to end its title sponsorship of SMI's Charlotte-area track at the end of the season. Smith said SMI will continue to have a business relationship with the home improvement chain, but he anticipates Lowe's Motor Speedway will revert back to Charlotte Motor Speedway when the title sponsorship deal expires later this year.

HAIL TO THE CHAMP: President Barack Obama will welcome Jimmie Johnson, the three-time defending Cup champion, selected former NASCAR champions and other drivers who qualified for the 2008 Chase for the championship at a White House ceremony Monday celebrating their accomplishments.

"It's a big honor for our sport to go to the White House," Johnson said. "With the way things have changed in the automotive industry, I think it will be good to go up and be face-to-face with the president and let him see the personalities and understand that we're real people and a real sport. Hopefully, we'll have a chance to express the importance of racing, not that we're going up there to politic for anything."

Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet will also be parked at the White House.

eMail Updates

Advertisement | Advertise with Us

Local Tickets

View All

Featured Ads

Search

Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Advertisement | Advertise with Us

News & Record Network Sites

User Tools

  • Mobile
  • Social
  • RSS
  • Share
  • Sign in to MyNR

Search